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 Head To Head The Modern Antiquarian Avebury Forum | Start a topic | Search |
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| I just found this, Dear Sir, With reference to your article "Village Draws Lines at Solstice Party Crowd" (Maev Kennedy, Friday 20 June). We were two of the revellers who visited this ancient site, on Midsummer's evening, in the spirit of curiosity. There is an epilogue to this story that we believe your readership would be interested in, since it highlights wider issues of repression and restriction of free expression. As Maev Kennedy stated, the roadside of the entire village of Avebury was covered in double yellow lines. The car parks and side roads were cordoned off and blockaded by Police officers. There was therefore nowhere available to park within the village, itself. The Police were directing traffic away from the village and suggesting that they parked on the road a half-mile away, on the main road to Swindon. There was a long and clearly visible collection of Vans, Cars, and converted ambulances representing a wide cross-section of society. There was a brand new Rover 25 in front of us, and a Mercedes Van behind us was carrying a group of young German tourists. There were no signs or any other indication that we were parking illegally: nor was there warning that cars would be towed away, if left after dark. At the event there were people who had come to walk around the stones, hug them, play musical instruments (dijareedos, bongos and fiddles), drink, sing and socialise. We were taken by the fact that people from all walks of life were represented at the event. The use of alcohol and cannabis was widespread but there were no signs of stronger drugs. People were friendly and good humoured and remained so despite the events that I am about to relate to you. Having watched the sunset we returned to our car to see a group of tow vehicles removing every vehicle that remained. Our car had already been removed but the Police were unable to provide us with the address of the garage it had been taken to. We walked back to the village to join a growing band of people who were confused, tired and left without the means of returning home. We believe that many people had heard the rumour of cars being towed away and had moved their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or soft drugs against their choice, in order to avoid paying the release fee. We also heard that one tow-truck driver had been struck in the face by a desperate young man who had attempted to move his vehicle but had been breathalysed and charged by a Police officer. Although we sympathise for this driver we believe that this incident was provoked by the high- handed attitude taken by the Police. (/snip) Regards John Northam BA, Barrister Rachel Phelan BSc. Reply | with quote |  27th June 2003ce 18:26 In reply to: Bah! (Pete G) |
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